Equilibrium Physiotherapy

03/06/2024

I was pleased to receive this lovely review from a daughter of a patient recently. Falls Prevention is also a big passion of mine and is what has lead me to my interest in all things vestibular. Falls and dizziness can be closely linked and it is not just the vestibular system that can cause the issues. In this lady’s case it was a combination of things, one being postural hypotension (drop in blood pressure when you stand up). I had the time to carry out a thorough assessment, identify some key risk factors and then put in place a treatment plan to reduce her risk of falls.

08/01/2024

What is vestibular migraine (VM)? It’s a type of migraine that can cause dizziness and balance problems. It can often occur even without the head pain which means it can sometimes be missed or misdiagnosed. About 40% of people who have migraines may experience VM and the symptoms can be quite debilitating. Unfortunately there is not specific test for diagnosing VM. Patient history and specific diagnostic criteria is used to diagnose VM. The management of symptoms relies on a combination of identifying the triggers, medication and of course, vestibular rehabilitation!

14/10/2023

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of dizziness in adults but can often get missed or not treated correctly. The symptoms of BPPV can be quite scary at first but are not serious although could lead to more disabling issues like falls or anxiety if left untreated. It is more common in older adults but can be more difficult to identify as they do not present with the classic symptoms mentioned in the slides, they may just feel unsteady or experience more falls. BPPV can be effectively treated with canal repositioning movements which are simple and effective and can be resolved after one or two treatment sessions. Do get dizzy when you change position?

13/10/2023

Great article describing how it feels to suffer from dizziness from a patient perspective. Remember dizziness is a symptom NOT a diagnosis! If you have ever had migraines in the past and now have episodes of dizziness and vertigo you may have vestibular migraines, even if you don’t have the head pain. Vestibular rehab can help as part of the treatment process. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/why-dizziness-is-still-a-mystery?s=08

05/10/2023

I attended a webinar last night hosted by Agile (Professional Network for Physiotherapists working with Older Adults). They reviewed the World Falls Guidelines which now includes screening for vestibular conditions in older adults who fall. 30-35% of older adults have a vestibular disorder which puts them at higher risk of falls but they don’t always present with the classic symptoms so often get missed. Screening all fallers will identify those with a vestibular condition which can then be treated and reduce their risk of falls.

03/10/2023

What is the vestibular system?
There are 2 parts:
➡️ Peripheral (inner ear) ➡️ Central (brain & nervous system)

It detects the position and movement of our head which triggers a series of outputs to coordinate eye movements, postural changes and maintain equilibrium. If there are are any disruptions in these signals, you may experience symptoms of dizziness, vertigo and/or imbalance.
Vestibular Rehabilitation can help to reduce these symptoms! Stay tuned to find out more about the different types of vestibular conditions.

02/10/2023